Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister for being straight and upfront on the issue. I am glad that he has acknowledged that there is a dynamic between SOLAS and the ETBs and that this is probably an annual thing but there are still issues. If I went on the Internet tonight, I would see that there is allegedly an issue in Donegal. It is reported that there is a shortfall of €2.1 million. In Louth and Meath ETB, with which the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach is involved, a shortfall of up to €12 million has been identified. That is quite significant. The Minister has said this is a funding pressure that was brought to him and that he is doing his best to work through it. When did it first come to his attention? If there is funding pressure as a result of people moving forward from stages 4 and 6 of their apprenticeships, I assume that will have to be addressed in the forthcoming budget. Will the Minister identify how he hopes to do that?

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